Moderate chilling peach and nectarine breeding and evaluation program at Attapulgus, Goergia

The purpose of this three-partner cooperative project is to evaluate existing peach and nectarine cultivars and selections, and to develop new ones in the 400-650 winter chill hour range for the early season shipping industry in South Georgia-North Florida (ca.30-31 N lat.). The program began in 1986 as a joint USDA and University of Florida project located near Morven, Georgia. In 1991, the program was transferred to the University of Georgia Research Farm at Attapulgus, Georgia. Over 5,000 seedlings have been evaluated to date resulting in over 50 advanced selections. Selections include both white and yellow-fleshed peaches and nectarines adapted to the mild winters of South Georgia and North Florida. In addition, non-melting flesh types are being developed. Non-melting peaches are markedly slower to soften during the ripening process than melting types and display excellent handling and shipping characteristics. Unlike traditional non-melting peaches used for canning, these new selections have considerable red skin color which gives them an appearance comparable to typical fresh market cultivars.